Agriculture: a society project

In June 2006, the Quebec government set up the Commission sur l'avenir de l'agriculture et de l'agroalimentaire québecois (CAAAQ), with a mandate to set up a report of the situation on the challenges of the agricultural sector in Quebec.

The CAAAQ submit its report on February 12, after holding public audiences in 15 regions and 27 municipalities in Quebec and after having consulted 720 memos.

The agricultural sector comprises about 43 405 producers working in around 30 813 enterprises. This means more than 56 000 direct jobs and sales of around $6 billion.

But agriculture should not be viewed only in an economical light. Its development has impacts on all spheres of life. The current model, created around 40 years ago, does not correspond to the realities of today, either in health, environment or economy.

The CAAAQ proposes a sea change to the agricultural model. Its main message is redefining the model must have a "maximum of positive social dividends" and ensure the sustainability of agriculture.

Sustainable development thus plays an important in this new vision. A large part of the report's recommendations thus emphasize biological agriculture, local produce, diversification and quality of products, support to small producers, and regional development. I would particularly like to point out one recommendation that would have all agricultural grants based on the "ecoconditionality" principle. According to the latter, obtaining financial aid should be incumbent on a producers' respect of rules that protect the environment (limited use of pesticides, reducing phosphorus and nitrogen, etc.). Ten of the CAAAQ's recommendations are directly tied into the environment. This is telling of how quickly the change should take place.

The CAAAQ presents daring measures to "promote sustainable and healthy agriculture." And if we were to judge by the welcome it got, this vision seems to be shared unanimously. Will the government have the courage to develop this modern and creative agricultural model that would "actively contribute to the social and economical blossoming of Quebec?"